And now, thirty minutes with the fans, and they’d be in a car headed home. She loved New York with Vic (and Victoria), but was so glad she didn’t live there.
“You good, baby-girl?” Vic always doublechecked before stepping out in front of her to greet his fans. He might be Victoria at the moment, but the man was inside there, taking care of her, as always.
“You know I am. Prince is ready to greet his fans. Don’t make him wait.”
Next week, a device she’d developed and perfected would hit the news media, complete with the ex-concert pianist whose hand had been damaged in a car accident three years before, destroying his career. She’d developed a device specifically for him, but her next project was to lead a team in developing ways to use the same technology to find solutions for other kinds of injuries. Once you’ve mapped the nerves and muscles, it’s just a matter of creating the hardware and programming the software.
The first time she’d seen the pianist’s prosthetic hand and fingers fly over the keys to create beautiful music, she’d cried elephant tears. The second time, too. Next week would be the third time, when he’d accompany the local symphony at a live event, complete with their interview after the show. She hoped she didn’t cry on network television.
When they finally made it to their car, Victoria asked, “Remind me again why I flew home as Victoria?”
“Because the news media wanted the shots of you and Prince coming off the plane and talking to your adoring fans. Winning was a big deal, and they’re proud someone from their hometown won.”
Victoria sighed. “Yes. You’re right, but my feet are killing me.”
Sandy’s laughter bubbled up, and she rubbed his hand over the console between them. “I can’t wait to get home and open some wine. Are you still going to be able to go to the symphony, and be close for the interview afterwards? I’m already a nervous wreck.”
“You’ll be fine, baby-girl. You’re a pro at PR now, after helping me so much — and you know I’ll be there.”
“Let’s drive by the restaurants and see how construction’s coming.”
He glanced at her, “You sure? You look tired.”
“It’s an extra ten minutes, and I know you’re as curious as me.”
They’d bought two restaurants right beside each other, and were going to name one Vickie’s, and provide burgers, pizza, and other bar food, along with a large stage area for shows. The other would be named Victoria’s, and would be the height of fine dining. They’d hired a famous chef, and the inside was all deep woods and red silk. It had a small stage, with a runway they could roll in for special events, but the only shows would be lunch on Saturday, and a fancy brunch on Sunday — and perhaps the occasional highfalutin white-tie fundraiser in the evenings. The raucous, rowdy shows would happen at Vickie’s.
And if drag shows ever lost their appeal, the two restaurants could cater to whatever the people of Atlanta looked for in weekend entertainment. Vic was in this for the long haul. He was an entertainer, and Sandy knew he’d spend his life on stage, in one form or another.
“Well, if we’re going to drive by, we may as well stop,” Victoria told her. “I can go in, change clothes, and wash my face.”
“Do you want to stay in town? It’s three, and I have to be at work at nine in the morning. I was looking forward to the day at home, but I’d be just as happy in the apartment.”
“As long as I’m with you, I don’t care.”
With nothing determined, Vic pulled into the rear of Victoria’s, instead of the front parking lot. “Let me grab my bag and we can go in together.”
Sandy had the idea something was up, but couldn’t figure out what it might be.
She followed Vic into the Vickie’s building, since it would open first and was nearing completion.
They walked in, Vic turned the lights on, and a huge crowd of people jumped up and shouted, “Surprise!”
Sandy looked at Vic for an explanation, and he said, “Happy Birthday a few days early, baby-girl. You get to inaugurate the new restaurant with your birthday party.”
Kate was the first person to hug her, followed by Gramps. At least a dozen of the MC were there, some friends from college, former coworkers at the B&B, and current coworkers in her lab.
And every drag queen in Atlanta — and then some. She recognized a few from Alabama and South Carolina.
She looked through the crowd, saw her parents, and went to them. “Mom! Dad! Did you make the drive okay?”
“Vic sent a car for us. He knows how nervous driving in the city makes us. I wasn’t sure about him at first, but he’s a good man.”
Sandy’s dad wasn’t so sure, but he had the good manners to keep his mouth shut. He didn’t know what to make of a man who dressed as a woman. He liked Vic okay when he dressed normal, but he had trouble dealing when his daughter’s honeybunch was Vickie or Victoria.
Sandy had made her way through perhaps a dozen guests when music started playing, and she stood in shock and watched Victoria — in a gold gown — perfectly replicate Marylin Monroe’s “Happy Birthday, Mr. President”, except Victoria said, “Happy Birthday, my gorgeous baby-girl.”
Everyone clapped and cheered at the end, and Sandy met Victoria when she came off the stage. “That was a little over the top, but thank you.”
“I love you more than words can say. Give Victoria a kiss, so she can go transform into your honeybunch and stop freaking your dad out.”
Sandy laughed, kissed him, and watched him go.
She’d talked to another couple of dozen people when she heard Vic’s voice over the microphone. She’d never heard him on stage talking as a man, and it caught her off guard.
“Baby-girl, can you come up here, please?”
Sandy shook her head. “I don’t do stages.”
“Bring Prince.”
It wasn’t a request the second time, and she retrieved Prince’s leash from Kate and made her way to the stage. Steps at the side let her walk up, and she met him at the end of the runway.
“I’ve thought of a million ways to do this, but I wanted to do it in front of family and friends, so I chose to do it here. Today. When you came into my life, I had no idea the joy, love, and companionship you’d bring. Not just you, but your little asshole dog who made me fall in love with him, too.” He reached into his pocket and pulled something out. “Sandra Eugenia Miller, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Sandy looked at the ring — a large, inset diamond with smaller diamonds all around.
She’d considered this, while driving, or when someone else got married, or when someone had a baby. The mating bond let her feel Vic and his peacock — a background feeling, all the time. She knew when he was hungry, happy, sad, nervous. They were a unit, together forever, but she’d thought it was too soon to talk about the M word.
It wasn’t, though. Not too soon at all.
“Yes.” She was smiling so big, her cheeks hurt. Vic put the ring on her finger and she added, “I think this means I get one husband and two wives, and you only get one wife, but I’m sure we’ll make it work.”
Their audience cheered, clapped, and laughed, and Vic bent her backwards and kissed her breathless.
While Prince barked and performed for the crowd, certain they were cheering him.
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Keep reading for a sneak peek of Bud’s story, where we first met Sandy.
Bibliography
If you enjoyed Cocky Queen, you may also like other books set in the same universe, though in different series.
Chattanooga Supernaturals series, paranormal romance:
The Dragon King (Aaron Drake’s story, and the first time we meet Duke and Brain)
Riding the Storm (Kendra and Eric’s story)
Acceptable Risk (Bethany, Ranger, Mac, and Jonathan’s story)
Careful What You Ask For (Britches story)
Hallowed Destiny – Forged by Darkness
Uncaged (Ghost’s mother’s story)
Only Human series, urban fantasy
Only Human
An Unhuman Journey
Of Humans and Monsters
Defining Human
TBA (2018)
Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Club Series
Duke
Brain
Bash Volume I
Bash Volume II
Bash Volume III
Horse
Nix
Gonzo (where we first meet Britches/Briana)
Ghost
Bud
Razor
The Dark Underbelly of The Chattanooga Supernaturals
Pride (A short story featuring The Lion King)
Indentured Freedom: Owned by the Vampire (Gavin)
Leashed (Abbott)
An Elegant Weapon (Bran)
A Dark(ish) Faerie Tale
Slave
Lady
Consort
Queen
The Safeword series, intense BDSM contemporary romance
Safeword Rainbow
Safeword: Davenport
Safewords: Davenport and Chiffon
Safeword: Quinacridone
Safeword: Matte (Sam and Ethan Levi’s story, we first meet Frisco and Cassie)
Safeword: Matte – In Training
No Safeword: Matte – The Honeymoon
No Safeword: Matte – Happily Ever After
Safeword: Arabesque (Frisco, Cassie, Isaac, and Cam’s story)
Safeword: Mayday (TBA)
Check out other books by Candace Blevins at candaceblevins.com.
Keep reading for an excerpt from Bud, where we first met Sandy.
Bud
The Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Club, Book 10
Chapter Three
Nicole tipped the golf-cart driver and thanked him as she stepped off. She hooked her bag over her shoulder and squinted to read the signs on the dock despite her sunglasses. The sky was a brilliant blue without a cloud to be seen, and the Mexican sun was brutal. She followed the arrow to the tour boat for the reef dive, and breathed in relief when she saw only adults. She’d opted for the two-tank dive because the age limit was fifteen and older with only adult certification accepted — and she’d only picked the longer dive so she wouldn’t have to deal with kids. There’s nothing worse than being trapped on a boat on the ocean with bratty kids whose parents don’t make them behave.
With a sigh, she acknowledged there are lots of worse things, but she was here to escape the memory of them so she looked around for something else to think about, and grinned when she saw the man she’d met when she checked in.
He looked downright predatory as he walked down the pier, and didn’t slow to step from pier to boat.
“Hello, Nicole. It’s nice to see a familiar face.”
Goodness, but his voice made her want to reach for her clit. And his deep, dark green eyes — something almost unhuman about them made her feel like prey. However, his expression seemed pleasant without a hint he knew anything more about her. She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed that he apparently hadn’t looked her up. She’d given him the pen name she used for her cozy mysteries, but there was no reason for him to have googled her after a casual conversation while waiting in line.
“Bud, likewise. I was about to find a seat. Would you like to sit with me?”
“I’ve done this dive a few times and the best spot is toward the middle. You never know which direction you’ll have unusual sightings, and the middle gives you the best chance of seeing both fore and aft.”
Nicole was forty-three but often dated younger men. Bud looked ten years her junior, but with the kind of money it took to stay here, guests had the resources necessary to look young and fit. Heck, she could easily see Bud on the cover of one of her racy romance novels. Or even better, one of her werewolf books. Damn, if his hair were a little longer he’d so work for one of her sexy shapeshifters. She couldn’t wait for him to lose his shirt before the dive.
Ten minutes into their conversation, Nicole needed to know if he was available before she made a fool of herself. “I don’t like to take things for granted, but you’re here alone and there isn’t a ring on your finger. Is it safe to assume you’re single?”
She’d still be friendly with him for the dive, but if he were attached then she needed her libido to calm the fuck down.
“No attachments, no girlfriend, no wife. I assume you’re single, since you asked?”
“Yes.”
Bud smiled, but then seemed to remember something and frowned as he looked away. When he looked back, the smile had returned but seemed distant. “This dive is for the more adventurous thrill seeker. I wouldn’t have pegged you for it when I first met you.”
BUD WASN’T SURE WHAT to think of Nicole as the two walked back to the resort together. He knew she’d ridden a golf cart to the pier that morning, and had expected to lose her when she hired one to take her back but she didn’t so much as glance towards them.
Shadow had sent a short text to let him know she was an author and he saw no evidence to point towards her working in law enforcement, but Bud had been careful to stay away from anything personal. Nicole had done the same though, which had him even more on edge.
On the one hand, society women usually did nothing for him. Their views on life were so radically different than his, he often wanted to pop them in the mouth every time they opened it — but Nicole was different. She dressed the part of a rich bitch, but she’d travelled the world and seen true third-world conditions. The woman had depth, personality, and smarts.
Long ago, Bud had found his soul mate and thought he’d found his happily ever after — until a stupid drunk driver had taken her from him. No one had appealed to him since. No woman could ever replace Wendy. Bud had his MC family and his daughter. He had a full life and it was enough, most days.
“I can’t believe all the things you pointed out in the reef — right in front of my face but I didn’t see it until you showed me. Are you one of those people who can see things in nature because you’re color blind?”
“No. I’m just good at spotting living beings inside their natural camouflage.”
She chuckled and Bud asked, “That’s funny?”
She stopped and looked at him, as if debating, and he stood and let her decide. Finally, she shook her head as she said, “I tap danced around the question when you asked what I do for a living. I’m an author, and one of the series I write is about shapeshifters. One of my werewolves impresses a date by picking out dozens of salamanders in the mud around a waterfall. Same thing — she doesn’t see them until he points them out one by one.”
The werewolf thing was probably information Shadow should’ve given him. Bud covered his surprise by asking, “You believe in werewolves?”
“Goodness no, but it’s fun to write about them. What woman doesn’t want a beast in bed?”
Well now, perhaps Miss Nicole might be more fun than he’d assumed. “You want a beast in bed?”
“My readers do.” She turned and walked up the path with a little flip of her hair and an extra bounce to her step, and Bud grinned as he watched her ass. This woman would never be anyone’s ol’lady, but he was down here to get away and she might prove a fun diversion.
Assuming she wasn’t ATF or DEA, but he didn’t think she was. The author-of-werewolves angle had him a little concerned, but he’d just need to be sure he didn’t do anything else to remind her of the wolves she wrote about.
“I’m sorry, I don’t remember your last name. I’ll probably need it to look your books up.”
“My last name is Blackthorn, but I write the werewolf series under a pen name. I write cozy mysteries as Nicole Blackthorn, and for legal reasons I can’t let anyone know I write
both series.”
“Legal reasons?”
“Competing publishers. I’m not allowed to cross market myself.” She shrugged. “Also, my cozy mysteries are for middle school aged kids all the way to senior citizens, and my paranormal romance books are super-spicy and only for adults.”
“Is Nicole Blackthorn your real name?”
“One of them.”
“What do your parents call you?”
“Nickie.”
“And your friends?”
“Nicole or Nickie.”
“Do you write anything under your legal name?”
“No. It isn’t safe.”
She stopped and turned to him, and Bud suppressed a grin when her hands went to her hips and she tried to look intimidating.
“I’m pretty sure Bud isn’t your real name, and Jones? Really?”
His passport and ID listed him as Buxton Jones. Large sunglasses on the trip to and from Manuel’s would keep the Mexican Federalés from successfully running him through facial identity. He hadn’t been returned directly to the resort, but had taken a twisted route through a restaurant, a bar, and another resort. Three changes of clothes before a late-night walk on the beach brought him back to his room. He was certain no one could place Buxton Jones as the man who’d visited the cartel kingpin’s home.
Unless they’d targeted him upon arrival, or worse — before he left Atlanta. There was no reason to believe anyone had, but Bud had stayed out of prison many times by assuming any strangers who approached him might be LEO or could’ve been strong-armed into working for law enforcement.
“I promise you that Bud is more real than the name my parents gave me.”
If she was a Fed or a reporter she’d already know his name, and it’d be good for her to think he was being honest — she’d be more open to accepting his lies later.
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